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Wednesday, 25 July 2012

Return of the Phoenix

We all remember when Joaquin Phoenix went crazy in 2008 and 'retired' from acting to pursue a music career. We all thought that he might go into country music, as he did so well in 'Walk the Line'. But no, he decided to pursue a rap music career. He grew that hobo beard and acted strange and unnerving on the David Letterman show. But in 2010 we breathed a sigh of relief, well those who didn't realise that this 'act' had been all for a mockumentary, when he appeared on David Letterman's show again. He explained he and brother-in-law, Casey Affleck, had been filming this all for 'I'm Still Here' and that he had been playing a character.

I saw 'I'm Still Here' in the cinema with my sister, fans of the Phoenix for years and it was amazing. It was hilarious, it was hard to think how people thought it was real. Phoenix was a genius and an amazing actor and he has been missed from the screen. His last acting role (not including his own film) was back in 2008 and the upcoming film, The Master will his first since that date.

The story has been compared to the life of Scientology founder L Ron Hubbard but is in fact nothing to do with the man. The story is similar though, as Phillip Seymour Hoffman plays Lancaster Dodd, who forms his own religious movement during the 1950s. Phoenix is playing the role of the young protege.

When I first heard of this film and saw the trailer, I literally screamed I am that excited to see Phoenix in films again. Especially after hearing rumours of him appearing in others films such as Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and Speilberg's Lincoln. A lot of Lincoln there.